Technical Program Director

Job Description

Pact seeks an experienced Technical Program Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) forthcoming Improving HIV Treatment in Zambia activity. This activity will support Government of Zambia’s national patient and program monitoring systems, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Smart Zambia Institute (SZI). It focuses on supporting MOH and SZI capacity, in alignment with PEPFAR’s goal of transition to host government self-reliance. The overall goal is to assist the Zambian government in its efforts ensure digital information from all health interactions for HIV and related health conditions is available to users, stakeholders, and decision-makers at all levels: facility, district, province, and national. Successful digitization will ensure accountability for resources allocated to health, measure individual and population level health outcomes, and allow the host government to monitor the cost-effectiveness of HIV and related programs. A key focus is to support the Government of Zambia to transform current health information systems to make them more resilient and require fewer resources, both human and financial, for sustainability, leveraging technology innovations to simplify patient and program monitoring processes and facilitate improved data access, quality, and use.

• The Technical Director will provide technical leadership and expert advice on strategies and interventions to strengthen and sustain patient- and program-level digital health management and information systems used by the Zambia MOH and SZI.
• S/he will lead and facilitate technical assistance and systems strengthening efforts to enhance the integration of health management systems at the national, regional, and local levels, which may include the development and/or adaptation of interoperable, fit-for-purpose digital solutions.

S/he will oversee strategies to ensure digital health platforms function reliably, are secure and interoperable, and comply with MOH and SZI standards.

• S/he will build MOH and SZI capacity at all levels of the system in data analytics to support clinical care, program monitoring, resource accountability, and decision-making, as well as digital health governance and long-term systems maintenance.
• S/he will be fully conversant on global, regional, and local best practices relating to health information systems and related digital tools.
• S/he will coordinate development, implementation, monitoring and reporting on all project work plans.
• S/he will supervise program monitoring, evaluating, and reporting activities, ensuring that all project deliverables are met and delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
• In coordination with the Principal Investigator, s/he will serve as a Pact liaison to CDC, MOH, SZI, and national and local partners as it pertains to technical matters.
• S/he will coordinate with appropriate stakeholders in all aspects of project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• S/he will supervise key technical staff directly.
• S/he will lead technical quality assurance, ensuring all deliverables meet CDC/PEPFAR standards and best practices.
• S/he will champion results-based management and adaptive learning with a focus on cost-effectiveness and resource optimization.

• Master’s degree and 9+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 5 years of management experience.
• Master of Public Health (MPH), degree in health informatics, epidemiology, or related field preferred.
• Demonstrable experience in global health programming, particularly HIV, TB, and/or health systems strengthening.
• Experience developing and/or implementing digital systems and tools for health care delivery, monitoring, and planning.
• Demonstrated experience in digital health systems, health informatics, or technology-enabled health program management.
• Experience working with the MOH and SZI in Zambia.
• Experience working on and leading teams for US government contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Familiarity with PEPFAR-funded programming and reporting requirements.
• Experience with CDC/PEPFAR data systems (DATIM, DHIS2, EMR platforms)
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• The candidate must be demonstrably proficient (oral, writing and reading) in English.
• Ability to travel within Zambia and occasionally internationally.

• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Zambia.
• Broad understanding of public health, health systems, and health policy and practice in Zambia.
• Zambia nationals and permanent residents are encouraged to apply.

About the Organization

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.